Barbara Nichols (1928-1976)

biography

Born Barbara Nickerauer in New York on December 30, 1928, Barbara Nichols started in show business as a model and burlesque dancer in the late 1940s and gained notoriety as a dancer in the Latin Quarter. In the early 1950s, she appeared on Broadway in Pal Joey and would eventually reprise her role in the film version, released in 1957. In 1954 Nichols began doing guest spots on popular TV anthology series, such as The United States Steel Hour and Center Stage.

LEFT: High school photo of Barbara Nichols from the mid 1940s. CENTER: Glamourous shots of Barbara Nichols. RIGHT: Mid 1970s photo of Nichols

Getting good notices, Nichols was cast in a small role in her first film, The Wild Party (1956; with Carol Ohmart). Throughout the remainder of the 1950s, Nichols acted in a string of A and B pictures, such as Pal Joey (1957; with Frank Sinatra) and The Naked and the Dead (1958; with Aldo Ray). In 1958, she landed her only television series, the short-lived Love that Jill with Anne Jeffreys. She also starred in the pilot for The Untouchables with Robert Stack, which aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse in 1958.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

With Tony Curtis in the excellent film noir release Sweet Smell of Success

The Naked and the Dead (1958)

In The Naked and the Dead, unfaithful wife Barbara Nichols is married to Aldo Ray

Who Was That Lady? (1960)

Joi Lansing and Barbara Nichols portray sisters in the Columbia comedy Who Was That Lady?

Let it Ride (October 1961-December 1961 Broadway Play)

An October 1961 copy of Playbill featuring Let it Ride. Nichols appears in the upper right-hand corner. Also starring in this musical comedy were George Gobel and Sam Levene. RCA released an album from the show.

House of Women (1962)

With Constance Ford and Shirley Knight in the campy Warner Bros. prison drama House of Women

The Disorderly Orderly (1964)

With Jerry Lewis in the Paramount comedy The Disorderly Orderly

Dear Heart (1964)

With Glenn Ford in the Warner Bros. comedy Dear Heart

Batman (1966-1968 ABC TV Series)

Nichols as Maid Marilyn with Art Carney from two September 1966 episodes of Batman

Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)

Nichols at the premiere of the star-studded comedy Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood in May 1976. This was her final film appearance

later years

Two separate car accidents, one in July 1957 and another in the 1960s, took a toll on Barbara Nichols' health. The 1957 wreck required the removal of her spleen, but she bounced back quickly given the severity of her injuries. The 1960s accident damaged her liver. Nichols' film career began to run out of steam by the mid 1960s; taking on roles in low-budget films, she acted in such films as House of Women (1962; with Constance Ford and Jeanne Cooper) and The Human Duplicators (1965; with George Nader and Hugh Beaumont). However, Nichols kept working, making occasional films and numerous television appearances through 1976 when, as a result of her previous car accidents, her failing liver ravaged her health. After spending two months in a coma, Nichols passed away on October 5, 1976, at the age of 47. She was survived by her father and mother.

If you're an avid TV rerun watcher, you can catch Nichols in many episodes of Jack Webb-produced series, such as Dragnet, Adam 12, and Emergency!. In addition, Nichols did guest spots on The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, The Wild, Wild West, and Love, American Style, among other series.

FILMRiver Of No Return [Blu-ray](1954)Gripping Gold Rush saga stars Marilyn Monroe as a saloon singer searching for her runaway husband with the aid of widowed trailhand Robert Mitchum. Spectacular rafting action sequences are not to be missed. Rory Calhoun, Tommy Rettig co-star under Otto Preminger's direction. 91 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio, Dolby Digital Surround, French DTS 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.River Of No Return [DVD](1954) DVDGripping Gold Rush saga stars Marilyn Monroe as a saloon singer searching for her runaway husband with the aid of widowed trailhand Robert Mitchum. Spectacular rafting action sequences are not to be missed. Rory Calhoun, Tommy Rettig co-star under Otto Preminger's direction. 95 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 4.0, French Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, Spanish; photo gallery; theatrical trailer. Beyond A Reasonable Doubt (Remastered Edition) [DVD](1956) DVDFritz Lang's last American film was this gripping film noir about a novelist (Dana Andrews) who stands trial for a murder he didn't commit in an effort to demonstrate how purely circumstantial evidence can lead to the death penalty. When the only man (Sidney Blackmer) who can prove his innocence suddenly dies before the truth can be revealed, Andrews finds himself facing execution. With Joan Fontaine, Arthur Franz. 80 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.Miracle In The Rain [DVD](1956) DVDSentimental romance set in 1942 New York finds a shoe company secretary (Jane Wyman) accepting an impulsive marriage proposal from an army private (Van Johnson) just before he is dispatched overseas to fight in World War II. When she receives news of his death, her physical and spiritual suffering becomes unbearable...until a miracle occurs. Eileen Heckart, Alan King also star. 107 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; featurettes; theatrical trailer.The Lon Chaney Collection [DVD] DVD First, a treasure hunter kills his partner after they find pirate loot, in "Manfish" (1956). Lon Chaney, Jr. stars with Victor Jory, Barbara Nichols, and John Bromfield. Next, Lon plays an aging Greek immigrant seeking a college education, in "The Golden Junkman," a 1956 episode of the "Telephone Time" program. Then, a small-town sheriff (Chaney) investigates a case of infidelity and murder, in "The Case of Joe Slade," a 1960 episode of "Lock-Up." Finally, silent but deadly Lon is "The Indestructible Man" (1956), a re-animated criminal seeking revenge on the cohorts who sent him to the chair. Max Showalter and Marian Carr also star. 4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; featurette; photo gallery. Manfish (1956)/Wetbacks [DVD](1956) DVDFirst, inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's "The Gold-Bug" and "The Tell-Tale Heart," the picturesque suspenser "Manfish" focuses on a greedy treasure hunter who kills and submerges his partner after they find pirate loot in the Caribbean. Victor Jory, Lon Chaney, Jr., John Bromfield star. Then, in "Wetbacks," a cash-strapped fishing boat captain begins ferrying illegal aliens across the border from Mexico-unaware that he is being monitored by U.S. immigration agents. Lloyd Bridges, Nancy Gates, Barton MacLane star. 165 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.Pal Joey (Limited Edition) [Blu-ray](1957)Sanitized some for Hollywood but still snappy, this take on the John O'Hara-Rodgers and Hart stage musical casts Frank Sinatra as the womanizing entertainer out to bankroll his own club through his favors to rich socialite Rita Hayworth, while stringing along good-girl chorine Kim Novak. Score includes "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "My Funny Valentine." 111 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH); isolated music score; featurette; theatrical trailer.Pal Joey [DVD](1957) DVDSanitized some for Hollywood but still snappy, this take on the John O'Hara-Rodgers and Hart stage musical casts Frank Sinatra as the womanizing entertainer out to bankroll his own club through his favors to rich socialite Rita Hayworth, while stringing along good-girl chorine Kim Novak. Score includes "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "My Funny Valentine." 109 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.Sweet Smell Of Success (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray](1957)A publicity-hungry New York press agent (Tony Curtis) desperate for success tries to ingratiate himself with a powerful columnist (Burt Lancaster) by breaking up an affair between the writer's sister and a jazz musician. Powerful drama of the high cost of fame, co-scripted by Clifford Odets, also stars Martin Milner, Susan Harrison, Barbara Nichols. 96 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English PCM mono; audio commentary; documentaries; interviews; theatrical trailer.Sweet Smell Of Success [DVD](1957) DVDA publicity-hungry New York press agent (Tony Curtis) desperate for success tries to ingratiate himself with a powerful columnist (Burt Lancaster) by breaking up an affair between the writer's sister and a jazz musician. Powerful drama of the high cost of fame, co-scripted by Clifford Odets, also stars Martin Milner, Susan Harrison, Barbara Nichols. 96 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby mono, French mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; theatrical trailer; scene access. The Pajama Game [DVD](1957) DVDLabor relations take on a whole new meaning in George Abbott's filming of the hit Broadway musical, with garment worker activist Doris Day and factory foreman John Raitt playing the enemies-turned-lovers. "Steam Heat," "Hernando's Hideaway" and "I'm Not at All in Love" are among the memorable Adler/Ross tunes enhanced by Bob Fosse's choreography. 102 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French; deleted song; theatrical trailer. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.Woman Obsessed (Limited Edition) [DVD](1959) DVDAfter being tragically widowed, a Canadian farm wife (Susan Hayward) can't manage her homestead alone, and accepts the help of a hand (Stephen Boyd) with a suspect past. Although their relationship ripens into a proposal, the resentments of her young son (Dennis Holmes) towards the new dad's brand of tough love may fuel tragedy. Expansive melodrama co-stars Barbara Nichols, Theodore Bikel; Henry Hathaway directs. 102 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; isolated music score; theatrical trailer.Where The Boys Are [DVD](1960) DVDFun-in-the-sun romp follows four co-eds from a snowbound college as they head to Fort Lauderdale for spring break. Once there, they begin searching for men, fun, and the perfect tan. Together with a variety of hijinks-loving guys, the gals experience a getaway packed with music and romance that will change their young lives forever. Dolores Hart, George Hamilton, Yvette Mimieux, Jim Hutton, Barbara Nichols, Frank Gorshin, and Connie Francis (who also performs the title song) star. 99 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.Dean Martin Double Feature [DVD] DVDFirst, in "How to Save a Marriage (And Ruin Your Life)" (1968), Dean Martin shines as a lawyer who discovers that his best friend is having an affair. Trying to save his pal's marriage by seducing his buddy's mistress, Dino makes matters worse when he woos the wrong woman. With Stella Stevens, Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson. Then, in "Who Was That Lady?" (1960), Martin helps married college professor pal Tony Curtis cook up an explanation when his wife (played by Curtis' then real-life spouse Janet Leigh) catches him smooching a student. But when the ruse gets out of hand, a series of wacky adventures ensues. James Whitmore, John McIntire co-star. 3 1/2 hrs. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.Who Was That Lady? [DVD](1960) DVDCaught canoodling with a co-ed by justifiably angry spouse Janet Leigh, chemistry professor Tony Curtis turns to TV writer pal Dean Martin for help in concocting a marriage-saving ruse. Amazingly, she buys the story that he's an undercover spy...unfortunately, so do some very real domestic and foreign agents. Fun farce also stars James Whitmore, John McIntire. 115 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.The George Raft Story [DVD](1961) DVDHe was born in Hell's Kitchen, turned down the Sam Spade role in "The Maltese Falcon," and knew real-life gangsters Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky--but, who was the "real" George Raft? This biopic gives the actor's life story a gripping whirl, tracing Raft's (played by Ray Danton) career from his fame-making turn in 1932's "Scarface" to his romance with a beautiful actress (Jayne Mansfield), to his comeback in "Some Like It Hot." With Julie London, Frank Gorshin. 106 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. House Of Women (Remastered Edition) [DVD](1962) DVDErica (Shirley Knight) is a pregnant young woman, convicted of a crime she didn't commit and sent up for five years. After her baby is taken away from her, Erica seduces Warden Cole (Andrew Duggan) in the hopes it will help her get out early so she can raise her child. But her plan backfires when Cole denies her parole so they can continue their affair. Gritty "women in prison" drama also stars Constance Ford, Barbara Nichols, Margaret Hayes, Jeanne Cooper. 85 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.The Disorderly Orderly [DVD](1964) DVDThe diagnosis is bellylaugh after bellylaugh when Jerry Lewis, as an attendant who experiences "sympathy pains," turns a quiet hospital upside down in this hilarious comedy. But when his former high school crush becomes a patient, he realizes that his love for her is the cause of his problems as he attempts to heal her...and himself. With Susan Oliver, Jack E. Leonard. 89 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; theatrical trailer.Dear Heart [DVD](1964) DVDTraveling salesman Glenn Ford was ready to give up the girl in every town and settle down with widowed single mom Angela Lansbury. At least, that's what he thought until his latest trip to NYC brought an encounter with coventioneering small-town postmistress Geraldine Page. Will she be the last fling...or the real thing? Wistful romantic comedy/drama co-stars Barbara Nichols, Patricia Barry, Michael Anderson, Jr. 114 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.Looking For Love (Remastered Edition) [DVD](1964) DVDAfter an unsuccessful stab at being a professional singer, Libby Caruso (Connie Francis) decides it's time to settle down and get married. She sets her sights on Paul (Jim Hutton), who's not interested--until Libby rockets to fame when she invents a device that keeps clothes from wrinkling and her singing career finally takes off. Upbeat musical also stars Susan Oliver, Joby Baker, and Johnny Carson as himself (in his only big-screen appearance). Includes the title song, "Let's Have a Party," "Be My Love," and more. 83 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.The Power [DVD](1968) DVDWhy are top scientists being murdered one by one? Is it possible that the killer actually possesses psychic powers? Can suave leading man George Hamilton and gorgeous leading lady Suzanne Pleshette figure out what the maniac really wants? Why are you still reading this instead of watching this imaginative sci-fi thriller based on the Frank M. Robinson novel, boasting a musical score by Miklos Rozsa? With Yvonne De Carlo, Richard Carlson, Aldo Ray, and Nehemiah Persoff. 109 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.

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Please note: As of this writing, these titles have not been released to DVD.

TELEVISION SERIESLove That Jill, 1958 ABC TV series

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCESEmergency!, episode Details, originally aired December 7, 1974The Doris Day Show, episode Have I Got a Fellow for You!, originally aired November 8, 1971Hawaii Five-O, episode A Thousand Pardons -- You're Dead!, originally aired September 24, 1969The Jackie Gleason Show, episode The Honeymooners: Two Faces of Ralph Kramden, originally aired November 18, 1967Green Acres, episode Never Take Your Wife to a Convention, originally aired February 8, 1967Batman, episodes Shoot a Crooked Arrow and Walk in the Straight and Narrow, aired September 7 and 8, 1966The Wild, Wild West, episode The Night of the Whirring Death, originally aired February 18, 1966Laredo, episode A Question of Discipline, originally aired October 28, 1965The Beverly Hillbillies, episodes Jethro's First Love and Chickadee Returns, originally aired October 30 and November 6, 1963The Twilight Zone, episode Twenty-Two, originally aired February 10, 1961Stagecoach West, episode A Time to Run, originally aired November 15, 1960The Real McCoys, episode The Politician, originally aired December 9, 1959The Untouchables, episode The Empty Chair, originally aired October 10, 1959The Untouchables, episode The Scarface Mob, originally aired October 3, 1959Maverick, episode The Third Rider, originally aired January 5, 1958The United States Steel Hour, episode Good For You, originally aired June 8, 1954